my fave lines...

And Nicola, who'd been kissed before only by a god, realized that being kissed by a mortal was a great deal more satisfying, because he seemed really to mean it. 

Or maybe it was only because this time she was being kissed by a man she truly loved, and whose friendship she valued above all others. . . . 

In any case, being kissed by Nathaniel Sheridan, even on the back of a horse in the middle of a public street, was quite the most exciting thing that had ever happened to Nicola.  

At least until Nathaniel lifted his head to say, in a raw voice, "Nicky, I love you so," and then proceeded to kiss her even more deeply.

from Nicola and the Viscount